Omaha daily bee., 1887-01-07
A BIG SOCIAL SENSATION,
0hicago's Thrice Exclusive Circles Agi
tated to Their Uttermost Bounds.
A RICH YOUNG GIRL DISAPPEARS
And With Her Departs n Gilded
Youth of the Garden City-No
Trace or the Missing
Truants.
A MillIona,re's Daughter E,opes.


CnICAGo Jan. Especial Telegram TO
the BEE. "A mystery deep and singular is
| agtating TO the uttcrmoSt bounds the thrice
exclusive social circles in this city of which
Mrs. II. q. Stone, Mrs. George NJ. Pullman,
Mrs Marshal Field and Mrs. Writ Dexter are
the best known representatives, Since Mon
| day afternoon Miss Althea l. Stone, tie
| beautiful siXtocn-yCar old daughter of the
many times millionaire Mrs. II. o. Stone has
| not been seen by her mother or friends, and
| the disappearance is now known to have
| been attended by circumstances of an extra
| ordinary character. Miss Stone had been at
tending a fashionable seminary at Ogontz.
Pa, until within the past fortnight She
came to Chicago ostensihly to spend the holi.
days at home, and was to have returned east
| Tuesday. a brilliant reception Monday
afternoon, given by Mrs. Bryan of No. 20U9
Michigan boulevard, was attended by Mrs.
stone and her now missing daughter.
After the reception, while the wealthy
widow fingered to exchange a pleasant
word with the hostess, fair Miss Althca
gided out of the brood doorway and, passing
bithely between the departing groups of
richly attired guests. made her way in the
direction of her mothers handsome cquipage.
Strange to say she did not enter that vehicle
but one directly behind it, and in scarcely a
moment was whirled down the boulevard and
out of sight. In the conveyance which the
youthful Miss Althea entered was young
man OF slim build, dressed in the latest cX-
treme OF fashion. His identity was partially
concealed by huge muillings about the lower
portion of his face, though persons who saw
nm claim that it was an individual named
William Cunningham, who enjoys a prom-
nence among the golden youth of the west
scarcely less marked and of mnch the same
type rs that OF the once famed Berry Wall in
New York. Cunningham possesses an in
terest in the profits of an insurance business,
but though noted for the apparently limitless
extent and unique character of his ward
robe, as well as his lavish expenditure in
other directions lie is not known to possess
heavy bank account. When Mrs. Stone
reached the Curbstone and learned that her
daughter had departed in another carriage,
CONSERVATION overcame her. Back into
Mrs. ByramS spacious but still crowded
present clustered about her, while couricrs
were dispatched in every direction. As time
passed and no tidinCs OF the missing one
were received, Mrs. Stone became distracted.
SO alarming was her condition that Mrs.
Pullman and Mrs. Field spent tho
entire night at her side in the room where
the reception had taken place.
Meanwhile a consultation of the family
advisers had been held, and late in the even
ing Mrs. Stones trusted cOniidant, Judge
knickerbocker of the probate court, accom-
panied by three detectives and Mrs. Stones
two attorneys hurrledly proceeded to the res
idenCe of the Cunningham family on Chi
cago avenue, near Pine street. suspecting
that young Cunningham and Miss Althea
might be there. The party was met in the
parorS by the aged father sot Cunningham,
who in reply to an inquiry said that his sons
whereabouts were unknown to him. Upon
being informed of Judge knickerbocker's
suspicious and hearing that detectives had
been brought into his house, MIR. Cunning.
ham was in wrath. lie ordered
the entire party out of doors
and sayagely threatened to throw them out
bodily. The Judge and his companions re-
tired, but remained in the vicinity and with
eight policemen watched the house until
morning. Their labor was fruitless
1t has only been asCertained definitely that
young Cunningham has disappeared as com
pIetely rs Miss Stone. What has been done
by them or either of them can only be sur
missed, although relative OF the young lady
has taken the responsibility of causing the
following notice to be published:
MARRIAGE-Stone-Cu Cunningham Monday,
January 8 1887, Althea 1. Stone to William
Cunningham both Of this city.
No other reference TO the subject has yet
crept into print, all the influence of the most
powerful coteries in the city being eXerted
to prevent disclosure.
Late tonight it is reported that the couple
have returned TO Chicago and are at Cunning
hams house, that Miss Stone claims to have
been married and that the mother refuses to
recognize her.